General Electric Roaster

[luxkid1980]

I came across a GE electric roaster over the weekend that I thought was pretty interesting so I thought I'd share. One of my weekend pleasures is thrift store shopping because you can find some neat items!

Someone posted about these roasters over on the automatic washer site and indicated it was from 1945 based on the date in the owner's manual, so its one of my older appliances now, along with the T-20 Sunbeam toaster. The thing is really heavy and made very well. It even had the baking racks and cord set included. It also has a wooden handle that is painted black on the lid. This appears to be original.

The present day electric roaster ovens that you can buy from GE have an indicator lamp that turns off and on to maintain the temperature, but this model just has a small window you peer through above the control knob that shows the heating wire glowing when it is on. It doesn't appear to cycle off and on, it just stays on, at least mine does.

I made some barbecue in it last night and it cooked the two 3+ pound Boston butts in less than 3 hours at 325 degrees. The pork was deliciously moist and flavorful! It also didn't heat up the kitchen much, which was a plus.

Does anyone else use one of these for cooking? I hear they cook a great turkey!

 

[madman]

Well, never used an old one. But a while back I thought I'd try doing thanksgiving turkey in one, so I purchased a new one. Just some cheapy one, but it does have thermostatic control (not sure about yours).

Let me tell you. I am never putting a turkey in the oven ever again. In the roaster, it's so delicious and moist, and all by itself, no seasoning needed. It's so tender that you have to be careful removing the bird from the roaster, lest all the meat fall off the bone! It's that tender. The only real downside is that you don't get that crispy roasted turkey skin on the outside, but I was never into that anyway.

Here's my recipe:
Put the bird in the roaster.
Chuck half a stick of butter in the bottom.
Cook until done.

No basting, no checking, no flipping it over. About as easy as can be, and it turns out perfect. I swear it also seems like it cooks faster.

 

[luxkid1980]

Hi Madman.

You're right, I do think they cook faster in these small roaster ovens versus a conventional one due to the smaller space needed to heat and also the heating elements are all around and under the food being cooked.

This GE model does not seem to have thermostatic control, perhaps that wasn't an option back then.

I too was curious if a turkey or chicken would brown much in the roaster, I figured not as much as a conventional oven, but it does have two vents on top that perhaps would help with expelling some of the moisture that would help it brown more.

 

[kenkart]

I use one often

I have a GE and a Westinghouse, both work great both are 50s models.

 

[luxkid1980]

Thanks Hans. Can you post a picture of your roaster? Curious how it compares to the one I picked up.

 

[fan-of-fans]

I've never used one, but one day I'd like to get one of these. I also really like the idea of the buffet steam table kits that some offer.

That's a nice looking machine. I too like thrifting on weekends sometimes.

 

[madman]

I suppose you can trade moistness for crispy skin. I tried a recipe once that basically called for searing the top and bottom of the bird while it was still uncooked, it didn't work much. I suppose I could've seared it longer, but even so, it wouldn't be anywhere but the flat spot on the top and bottom. Perhaps you could very carefully remove the whole cooked bird in one piece from the roaster and stick it in a hot oven for 30 min or so, maybe that would crisp the skin? idk.

Honestly, if you try a roaster oven turkey, you might not mind the absence of the crispy skin.

 

[lesinutah]

Dang

I have not tried one but reading posts I'm thrifting and I'm sure to find one. Sounds like it cooks turkey well. I wonder wow it would do a rack of ribs.
Les

 

[luxkid1980]

I would think the skin on a turkey would crisp up pretty well. I have seen mixed results with the new roasters you can buy based on reviews on Amazon, but I guess it depends on the model. Maybe cocking the lid to the side to allow more steam to escape? I'll have to give it a try.

Les, I would think ribs would turn out really well in one of these. And yes, I see the newer roasters all the time in thrift stores.

 

[kenkart]

My G E Roaster

I bought this in Roanoke Va at a antique mall

 

[luxkid1980]

Your roaster oven looks great Hans. I especially like that window that shows the temperature. Never seen one like that before! Your power cord looks original too. I am thinking mine was replaced at some point, but it is a GE branded cordset.

 

[kirbyklekter]

Roaster Remorse!

Grandparents handed many appliances down to me over the years. The roaster was still used a lot by them. Well Grandma died first and step-grandfather remarried and moved and took my roaster with him. Now, "Pearl" is enjoying my roaster, same as kenkarts,oh well, I'm over it, but still...

 

[rugsucker]

Saw a Westinghouse roaster--

--at a nearby thrift store yesterday.Has cord,wire rack,window in lid & pull out instructions under.Trim at switch panel is blue and has 3 vertical lights.Looked like a later model.Did not get but if any are interested call---
Jimmy
423-268-4841.